A Valyrian Heart

Chapter Eleven

Baela's grandmother wrote her a letter the next day, she must have heard about what happened. She advised her to be strong, and in the end, if things didn't work out Rhaenys was willing to come fetch her. Baela hoped things wouldn't work out so she would leave this dreadful place. It was already getting too hard to avoid Daemon when he kept appearing everywhere. She was convinced he was showing up in front of her on purpose, maybe to remind her of his presence still and of what he expected of her. Unfortunately, there was no escaping from him this time, she couldn't just hop on Moondancer and disappear, Daemon would track her down.

So Baela remained in the comfort of the gardens, sometimes her mind trailed off to Joffrey. She wondered if he was waiting for her, expecting her to show up. In as much as she didn't wish to disappoint, at this time she couldn't leave it would be risking too much. after crying herself to sleep the other day, Baela decided not to cry for a man anymore, it was too exhausting, and not worth it at all. She would sit on the balcony, watching the sky darken, a storm brewing in the distance. what she would give to be able to get away.

" Daughter " Daemon's approach was always stilt, his footsteps always light that she could hardly hear him coming. Baela comes to look at him, he looks tired and probably had a round of argument with his brother. She thinks it was the only bonding time to get caught, Viserys and Daemon Targaryen were always at each other's throats, sometimes Baela would wonder if her father was capable of beheading his brother, just like he had with her uncle, it would be a stunning sight to see, yet it would be the start of a war, they all knew this.

" Father " why can't he just leave her alone? couldn't she see how hard she was struggling to keep herself together? She felt that the more she saw him the more she was at the edge of a breakdown. Aemond had been her wall, and now he was gone as well. Of course, she caught him throwing constant glances her way, she could swear she saw the remorse in his eyes. but he wasn't going to apologize to her, and even if he did, she knew that he had meant his words. He wasn't going to leave King's Landing, not for her and not for anyone else.

" I shall return to dragonstone tomorrow "

"If you are here to remind me once more about my duties, you don't need to. I won't be able to forget your words even if I wanted to "

" you don't have to make things so complicated " Daemon blamed everyone else for his mistake, she was blaming her this time. There might have been a bit of regret, but he buried it down. " you know it is not my intention to hurt you, daughter. you are my blood and I do not wish for anything bad to befall you "

" I understand. Send my greetings to Rhaena "

Daemon wanted to say more, she could see it in his eyes, but, he decided against it. whatever he might have wanted to see was of no importance now, as long as Baela understood her duties then there was no need to repeat his words. He gave her one last look before turning around and disappearing down the hallways. Baela rolled her eyes and leaned against the balcony one small, she looked down at the Gardens below, looking all colorful and beautiful with how much time Queen Alicent had spent on them. 

It was quite a distance to the ground, if someone were to fall down it wouldn't be enough to kill, or maybe if she was lucky enough it would. Baela thinks carefully about whether or not she is willing to risk it, if suicide was the way she wishes to go, then she wouldn't want to leave any chance of survival. She wanted to go with a big bang, consumed by dancing flame just like her mother. Come on Baela, moondancer would never kill you. she doesn't know whether or not to be grateful for her dragon's loyalty. Because how nice would it be if she got to see her mother again, to be able to escape all this pain and suffering, what wouldn't she give to just have peace?

Baela doesn't even realize she is leaning too closely on the balcony. Not until a pair of arms wrapped around her, pulling her back against a firm chest. " As a Targaryen, you should aim for a Higher means of taking your life. what would people think about you if you died like this? "

" I don't think it has anything to do with you. Besides I wouldn't know, because if I succeed I will be dead "

" come on darling cousin, we both know falling from this height won't kill you. you might break a couple of Bones, and then your father would have you fixed, just to get the pleasure of breaking your bones again "

" don't touch me so casually " Baela pulled away from Aegon. She had expected to see an amused smirk on his face because Baela had realized long ago that it was in Aegon's way of hiding his misery. However he didn't have his signature smirk, rather she found a worried expression on his face as he regarded her. worried. was he actually worried about her? " what is that expression on your face?"

" you mean to worry? I just found my cousin wanting to jump down a balcony, what are the expression do you expect me to have? "

" nonchalance, just like your brother. "

" do you think he wouldn't care if I told him about your suicidal thoughts? "

" I know he would care " In as much as he wanted to deny it, Aemond cared about her greatly. But it wasn't his reaction she cared about right now " I just don't know why you care "

" you are going to be my future wife "

" look at me closely, I would rather jump down this balcony a million times than be your wife " Baela even made an action to lean against the balcony once more.  Aegon wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her away, a gentle smile playing on his lips.

" come on, marry me can't be that bad. "

" can't it? "

Aegon laughs, it was a soft smile that pulled at her heartstrings. Sometimes she found herself thinking that Aegon wasn't that bad, definitely not the foolish Imp her father made him out to be. He was a lot more cheerful than Aemond was, even though life has given him a lot of reasons to not be cheerful. Aegon's life was more complicated than Aemond's. Baela would say to anyone that the only reason why Aemond turned out to be the cold-hearted bastard he was today was only because he didn't have a dragon in the first place. He thought too highly of dragons, she adored moondancer, but she was also certain she would have been just as happy without the green beast.  Now, the only chain that tied her down was this stupid marriage. She liked Aegon, but she didn't think she would ever like him more than a cousin. Besides, the idea of being a second wife didn't thrill her. It didn't help that Aegon had slept with half of the young ladies in King's Landing. Nope, he was definitely not husband material. She would swap him for Joffrey even, and that was saying a lot.

Once more she found herself thinking about the young Baratheon King. She wondered if he was still standing on that balcony, watching the sky, hoping to catch a glimpse of moondancer. Baela decided then and there that she was going to find her back to him. She still had a lot she wanted to ask, if there was any history of her marriage with Aegon she wanted to know about it. It was good that Daemon Targaryen was going back to dragonstone, without him here there was no one else to stop her from doing what she wanted. She could jump down a freaking balcony if she wanted to, she would listen to no one else! especially not Aemond.

Baela lost in her thoughts, was caught off guard when she felt wet kisses trailing down her neck. With a grimace, she quickly turned around and smacked Aegon hard on the head. " can't you act like a proper human being for once!" she exclaimed, a mix of anger and annoyance in her voice. She wasn't in the mood for playful gestures when her mind was consumed with questions and uncertainties.

Aegon smirked at her, not seeming to mind the hit. " I have something to show you tomorrow night "

" let me guess, you are going to take me down to King's Landing, show me one of the whore houses you visit often, and your. . . " His son. She didn't dare finish that sentence, not because she was afraid of his reaction but because she didn't want to involve an innocent child.  King Viserys might not take it lightly when he finds out that his eldest son has bastard children roaming the towns of King's Landing.  Aegon gave her a meaningful look, one that suggested he might know what she was about to say. It wasn't really the best topic to discuss at a time like this. If anyone deserved to hear the truth from Aegon, it was Haelana.  " all right, I will be there "

" From now on, my darling cousin, I suggest you stay away from balconies "

She gave him a smile that was too sweet to be real. whatever. falling to her death wasn't the best idea anyway. she would find a way, she always does

*   *  *

Baela doesn't wait for her father to leave King's Landing before she sets off on moondancer once more.